... essence, within that framework? Punishment? Retribution? Deterrence? Correction? Protecting society from harm? Maintaining the status quo (a tradition and social order to be upheld and continued unchanged) and, if so, can it be separated from another concept, 'social justice?'
2. Is our justice system 'just,' according to the definition you find relevant, and also, is it so according to its moral definition in our society? What can be the reason for 'injustice' (if there is any) within our justice system?
3. There are all kinds of talks about the need for prison reform -- why? Is there anything wrong with it? And if so, how could the system be improved (in case it should be improved)?
1. Try to define 'justice' regarding 'crime and punishment' in our society. What is justice, in?
- Posted:
- 3+ months ago by ovalster
- Topics:
- crime, justice, society, status, punishment, correction
Details:
Responses (1)
Please, only one question per post. Trying to define 'justice' is a big challenge by itself.
Justice is a human concept, and that makes the meaning largely a matter of what humans would prefer it to mean. Suppose one man kills another; justice depends on who the two men were and how it was achieved, with only an incidental interest in why one wanted to kill the other. In the end, it might only depend on which of them was bigger or better prepared, or on who does the judging.
Example: a soldier flies over a city of an enemy nation and drops a bomb that kills somebody. Justice does not apply.
Example: a soldier flies over a city of a neutral nation and drops a bomb that kills somebody. The government of that country complains, citing this, that, and something else. The soldier's government sends an apology. Justice has been served, such as it is.
There are endless examples of the meaninglessness of the term as it is used. Since "justice" usually involves a central government, it is handy to remember how the bible identifies that concept. [Luke 4:5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.]
"Delivered unto me," get it? Satan is the god of earthly authority.
And speaking of the bible, it does not define "justice". The English word is translated from a Hebrew word meaning "rightness".